Tropical Cyclone 10s (Dina): Natural Hazards

by: NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day

Publication date: 2002-01-23

Topics: Where -- Mauritius, Where -- Indian Ocean, Where -- Port Louis, Where -- Madagascar, Where -- Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)

Language: English

Rights: Public Domain

Tropical Cyclone Dina skirted the islands of Mauritius and Reunion to the north and west while continuing its trek over the southern Indian Ocean. Dina passed close enough to the islands to unleash damaging winds and soaking rains. On the southeast side of Mauritius, the main airport recorded peak wind gusts of 90-95 mph, and rainfall greater than 4.7 inches. Higher winds and heavier downpours likely lashed Port Louis on the storm-ward side of the island. Meanwhile, sustained winds reached 60 mph at Saint Denis, Reunion, with top wind gusts exceeding 75 mph. Early Wednesday (Jan 23) the storm was located about 500 miles to the east-northeast of Ft. Dauphin, Madagascar and had maximum sustained winds near 135 mph, with gusts approaching 160 mph.

Image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC.